Watercolor painting by
Brandy Kmetz
Brandy Kmetz's watercolor learning experience:
Expression through art is the human species greatest asset. Through-out time all humans everywhere, from every culture, country and age have always created expressions in art. It is how we learn about our past, present and ideas in the future. Iconology reflects ideas and theories in classical and contemporary art, fashion, cartoons, comics and satirical magazines such as, The New Yorker. By studying art one can learn about the individual creator as well as what the creative output is representing.
The age old question, "Does life imitate art, or vise versa, is as debatable as nature verses nurture. When one really takes the time to recognize and count the many ways how art influences their lives on a daily basis, the product is infinite. Even those who claim to lack any creative ability, still find a way of expressing it, whether through doodles, singing in the shower, or dancing alone in their home. Art is a way to connect and communicate with others who don't share a common language or lifestyle. Even though art can be subjective it also possesses the feature of being universal.
While participating in this class, I have begun to open my creative insight to look at images and situations in my daily life with an artistic eye. I had never worked with watercolor before and was a bit intimidated by it. I had heard that is is a difficult medium to deal with. I have since learned that watercolor can be very easy and malleable. I am also learning that my sketching does not need to be as detailed. I am use to finishing drawings with details, but with watercolor you can not go back and erase pencil marks. But most importantly by enrolling in this class, I have learned that my choice to pursue a degree in Art Therapy is my calling. I love art and feel that it is a great way to connect with others and release their stress or communicate their worries and needs. So much can be perceived from a picture.
Art elicits emotions and taps into ones memories to bring light to thoughts and theories. Robert Burdette Sweet, a Creative Writing professor at San Jose University stated, "Art is an imitation of an action, and through imitation we learn." (American Humanist Association, Nov.-Dec. 1995). If art can be an imitation of action, could art initiate action? I believe so and I plan on using my life experience and credentials gained through my education to incite action through art. In a inveterate world, I believe art can initiate change.
